Hello all,
My 10 year old son was identified GT in Kindergarten and has attended public school since. Starting in 2nd grade he began underachieving, "checking/zoning out", seeing himself as different (physically & socially) and his self image/esteem took a nosedive. Each year has had it's own challenges but getting up for school and performing in school have consistently been a big issue for us. I have had him tested for ADHD; the school found the Conner's assessment conclusive but 2 outside professionals did not. I think the school is looking for the easy way out. I am on the brink of pulling him out and homeschooling. He does not fit the profile of our little affluent town's typical GT profile (confident, eager to learn, eager to please). He instead has quietly shut down and simply doesn't comply with requests. In his own way he's subtly being defiant. He goes against school culture and has never fit in, even in kindergarten.
My question is...has anyone had issues pertaining to GT underachievement in relation to GT type characteristics? If so, how did you approach the teachers/school? Did you address it more with the GT support staff or at the campus level? How do you reach an underachiever the school has failed to reach out to repeatedly?
